"You were wrong." Mary-Ann placed a hand over hers and squeezed. "And I told you so."
Lori nodded, tears shining in her eyes. "You were very supportive." She looked over at Leanne. "We had a big wedding.Andreas is the first son, and the wedding had to be a big deal. We got married in Greece."
"With all the grandparents and cousins, aunts and uncles." Mary-Ann recalled with a laugh. "We both come from big families and when we meet up, it's pure chaos. You'll see."
"If you're trying to frighten me, you're doing an excellent job."
"Nothing to it honey." Lilly piped up. "We got married in Ireland. I am an only child and believe me when I tell you that I was swamped." She leaned forward to turn the pages.
"You all look so beautiful. And thin." Leanne said a little wistfully.
"I got married here in the good old USA." Grace contributed with a smile. "But it was no less hectic. What's your dream wedding?" She asked Leanne who continued to leaf through the pages.
"Ideally, and I never thought of weddings before now. Ideally, I would have loved a beach wedding. Something classy yet simple. Walking barefoot in the silver sand with the sea right there." She shrugged. "But that's not going to be possible. So, a church wedding is the next best thing."
She was so preoccupied with reading the notes in the book that she failed to notice the glances the women exchanged.
She finally looked up. "So. I suppose it's my turn to add my piece to this journey?"
They nodded.
"I started it for me, but then I wanted to record the moment for my daughter." Mary-Ann shook her head. "When I discovered that I was having only sons, I figured it could be put aside for my sons' wives." Her pleased glance roved over the four women, and she felt a spike of gratitude. "I could never wish for better."
"Thanks." The four women chorused.
"I need to say something." Leanne held up a hand. "When I first met Christos, I told myself that it was just a fling. Ill-advised one, and there was the fact that Christos was who he was. And I never believed in long-term. Then things got heated up and I met his family." Her eyes followed them. "I told myself that I did not need or want a family, so I broke it off quickly because of fear."
Her eyes moistened. "God intervened and I discovered I was pregnant. That's the best thing that ever happened to me. Because it showed me how wrong I was. I now have a family,and I don't think you can ever understand what that means to me. I never had a family before, and I feel so damned blessed to have one now. And I'm going to blame these tears on raging hormones."
"So will we." Mary-Ann moved in to hug her, followed by the others.
"You belong to us now."
Leanne laughed shakily. "I'm beginning to realize that and accept it."
"And because you do, we're here to tell you in no uncertain terms that we get to choose our own bridal dresses." Grace told her firmly, making her laugh.
"What? Afraid I'll choose something like puce?"
"Or God forbid, crushed rose." Lori added. "Now let's talk invitations."
*****
"A beach wedding?" Christos had assigned the specific task to the women in the family to try and get a feel of what his fiancée would prefer for her wedding.
"Positive." Mary-Ann beamed at him. "I think it's perfect."
"She's not supposed to travel." He reminded them. They had left his place to come straight to the office to give their report.
"In fact, she can. I spoke to the doctors on my way here and asked Dr. Henderson if it was possible for her and a nurse to travel with us." She scooted forward on the chair facing his desk, expression intent. "We could use one of the smaller cruise ships to transport the entire family and few friends. Sail to one of the Caribbean islands and have the wedding there. The Bahamas, Jamaica or even Barbados. She wants white sand and sea. We checked out some villas in Negril and they're perfect."
She smiled at her son. "We have the wedding right there on the beach, rent it out for a few days to avoid people wandering and it would be her dream wedding."
"You said you wanted big."
"I want huge." He corrected. "I want to give her everything she ever dreamed of. No expenses spared."
"Darling, I love that and she will too."
